PHILO AND SOPHIA

ON LOVE AND DESIRE

FIRST DIALOGUE.

PHI.

Large ornamental woodcut initial 'I' featuring white interlaced vine-work on a dark background.KNOWING you, O Sophia The name Sophia means "Wisdom" in Greek, while Philo's name is derived from "Philos," meaning "Friend" or "Lover." Their names together form the word "Philosophy"—the love of wisdom., causes in me both love and desire.
SO. These effects that the knowledge of me produces in you seem discordant to me, O Philo; but perhaps it is passion that makes you speak so.
PHI. They are discordant from yours Philo is likely referring to Sophia's lack of reciprocal feelings., which are devoid of any reciprocity.
SO. Rather, they are contrary affections of the will will (uolontà): In Renaissance philosophy, the will is the power of the soul to move toward something it perceives as "good." even within themselves: to love and to desire.
PHI. And why contrary?
SO. Because among those things we judge to be good, we love what we already have and possess, and we desire what we lack. Thus, that which is loved is first desired, and once the desired thing is obtained, love arrives and desire departs.
PHI. What moves you to hold this opinion?
SO. The example of things that are loved and desired. Do you not see that when we do not have health Original: "sanità," referring to physical well-being or wholeness., we desire it, but we would not yet say we love it; then once we have it, we love it and no longer desire it. Wealth, inheritances, and jewels: before they are possessed, they are desired and not loved; after they have been obtained, they are no longer desired, but loved.
PHI. Although health and ric-